Makeup mirror apparatus and makeup method using the same

ABSTRACT

A makeup mirror apparatus comprises a case body, a case lid, and a rotary shaft rotatably connecting the case body and the case lid. The case body is provided with a cosmetic-material containing area, a brush containing area, and operation buttons. The case lid is provided with a mirror unit, a camera portion, and a memory slot. The mirror unit is constituted such that an LCD panel is stacked on a half mirror. By manipulating the operation button, a sample image is read from a memory card loaded in the memory slot. The read sample image is displayed on the LCD panel and is overlapped with a user&#39;s face reflected in the half mirror. Makeup is performed by tracing the sample image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a makeup mirror apparatusreflecting a user thereof when making up, and also relates to a makeupmethod using the makeup mirror apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] At a finishing stage for making up, it is usually performed towrite eyebrows and to use a lipstick. It is very difficult, however, tofinish one's makeup in a fine state such as to be finished by aprofessional makeup artist. In view of this, as a tool for finishingone's makeup in a finer state, a makeup template tends to be widely usedsuch as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.10-108730. This template is a plastic sheet having frame openings, whichare formed in preferable shapes of an eyebrow and a lip. The template isput to the eyebrow and the lip to use an eyebrow pencil, an eye penciland a lipstick.

[0005] The above makeup template is put to a user's face in order towrite the eyebrow and in order to use the lipstick so that it isnecessary to use one hand for the purpose of pressing the template.Hence, the eyebrow must be written and the lipstick must be used only bythe other hand so that dexterity is required for making up, further,experience is necessary to some extent for finishing one's makeup in abeautiful state. Meanwhile, when the hand pressing the template tires, aposition of the template put on the face is likely to be shifted.Accordingly, there arises a problem in that positions of the writteneyebrow and the applied lipstick are also shifted.

[0006] In the meantime, a fashionable style exists in the makeup. Thefashion rapidly changes so that the makeup is remote from the currentfashion if a user continues to use a single kind of the template. Thus,it is necessary to prepare the new template in accordance with thefashion whenever the newest makeup style is introduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a makeup mirror apparatus and a makeup method usingthe same, in which it is possible to easily finish one's makeup in abeautiful state.

[0008] It is a second object of the present invention to provide amakeup mirror apparatus and a makeup method using the same, in which itis possible to immediately adapt one's makeup to a newest makeup style.

[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects, the makeupmirror apparatus according to the present invention comprises a mirrorfor reflecting a user, and an electronic display for displaying a sampleimage used for performing one's makeup. The mirror and the electronicdisplay are preferable to be contained in a compact case.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a half mirror is used as the mirrorand is disposed in front of the electronic display. Further, an LCD(liquid crystal display) panel is used as the electronic display. TheLCD panel displays the sample image which is read from a memory cardloaded in the compact case. The sample image displayed on the LCD panelis overlapped with a face of the user reflected in the half mirror. Theuser's face is made up by tracing the sample image.

[0011] In another embodiment, the mirror and the electronic display areunified to constitute a mirror unit. A camera portion is removablyattached to the mirror unit. The camera portion is removed from themirror unit and is held by a user's hand. In virtue of this, it ispossible to image a detail of the user's face. Incidentally, the cameraportion is preferable to be provided with an attachment to which acosmetic tool for making up is detachably attached.

[0012] According to the makeup mirror apparatus of the presentinvention, it is possible to carry out fine operations of one's makeup,and the makeup may be easily finished in a beautiful state. Moreover, itis also possible to bring in a newest makeup style without delay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage state of a makeupmirror apparatus according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a non-usage state of themakeup mirror apparatus;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an electricalstructure of the makeup mirror apparatus;

[0017]FIG. 4 is an explanatory illustration showing a state in that anLCD panel of the makeup mirror apparatus displays a sample image;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in that a user holdsthe makeup mirror apparatus to use it;

[0019]FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory illustrations showing a state inthat the makeup mirror apparatus is used under an enlargement mode;

[0020]FIG. 7 is an explanatory illustration showing a state in that themakeup mirror apparatus is used in another way;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a makeup mirror apparatus ofa second embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the makeupmirror apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example in which themakeup mirror apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is integrally formed with anattachment for attaching a cosmetic tool;

[0024]FIG. 11 is an explanatory illustration showing a state of themakeup mirror apparatus used for making up nails;

[0025]FIG. 12 is an explanatory illustration showing a state in that asample image of the nail is displayed when making up the nail; and

[0026]FIG. 13 is an explanatory illustration showing a state of themakeup mirror apparatus used for setting a hair style.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0027]FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show a usage state and a non-usagestate of a makeup mirror apparatus 10 according to the presentinvention. An external shape of the makeup mirror apparatus 10 isidentical with that of a cosmetic compact case. The makeup mirrorapparatus 10 is constituted of a case body 11 and a case lid (upper lid)12. The case lid 12 is rotatably attached to the case body 11 via arotary shaft 13 provided at an end edge thereof. Each of the case body11 and the case lid 12 is formed in a rectangular flat shape having aroundish form as a whole and having a gently curved surface. Owing tothis, when the case lid 12 is closed, the makeup mirror apparatus 10 hasa compact-and-portable shape so as to be easily carried.

[0028] A front end of the case body 11 is provided with a claw 14integrally formed with a button 14 a. The case lid 12 is formed with anengagement hole 15 located at a position corresponding to the claw 14.Meanwhile, a spring (not shown) is incorporated inside the rotary shaft13. This spring urges the case lid 12 toward an open position shown inFIG. 1. When the case lid 12 is kept in a closed position shown in FIG.2, the claw 14 engages with the engagement hole 15 to lock the case lid12 at the closed position. Upon pushing the button 14 a downward, theclaw 14 is released from the engagement hole 15 so that the case lid 12is rotated toward the open position by means of the spring incorporatedin the rotary shaft 13.

[0029] An inner surface of the case lid 12 is provided with a mirrorunit 16 and a camera portion 17, further, the outside thereof is formedwith a memory slot 18. With respect to a detachable memory card 20loaded into the memory slot 18, are used smart media (registeredtrademark) and so forth. The case lid 12 has a built-in power battery19. As to the power battery 19, a sheet battery having a flat shape isused in order to thin the case lid 12 down.

[0030] The mirror unit 16 is constituted of an LCD panel 21 (see FIG. 3)and a half mirror 22. The LCD panel 21 is fixed to the inner surface ofthe case lid 12. The half mirror 22 is attached so as to cover the frontof the LCD panel 21. The half mirror 22 is the so-called semitransparentmirror. An image displayed on the LCD panel 21 is observed from theoutside through the half mirror 22.

[0031] The LCD panel 21 displays a sample image read from the memorycard 20 in which data of the sample images of fifty or more, forinstance, are stored. The sample images include various patterns ofeyebrows and contours of lips. When the makeup mirror apparatus 10 isused, the sample image read from the memory card 20 is displayed on theLCD panel 21, and at the same time, a user's face is reflected in thehalf mirror 22. The user's face reflected in the half mirror 22 isoverlapped with the sample image displayed on the LCD panel 21 to tracea contour of the sample image. Owing to this, it is possible to finishone's makeup in a beautiful state. The sample image to be displayed onthe LCD panel 21 is stored in a storage medium of the memory card sothat it is possible to always adapt the makeup to the newest style bychanging the memory card 20. Incidentally, the way of obtaining the newsample image is not exclusive to the change of the memory card 20. Thememory card 20 removed from the makeup mirror apparatus 10 may beconnected to a personal computer, a communication terminal and so forthto store image data of the sample image, which is sent via a telephonestation, in the memory card. Alternatively, the makeup mirror apparatus10 may have a communication function to receive the image data of thesample image. The received image data is stored in the memory card 20.

[0032] The camera portion 17 is formed with a taking window 24 forexposing a taking lens 23 behind which a CCD image sensor 25 (see FIG.3) is disposed. The camera portion 17 is positioned at an upper portionof the mirror unit 16. An optical axis L of the taking lens and a focallength thereof are set such that the user's face is imaged when the userconfronts the front of the mirror unit 16. The camera portion 17 is usedfor the purpose of finishing the makeup in a more beautiful state ratherthan the ordinary makeup. The user's face is taken by the camera portion17, and a part of the taken face is enlarged and is displayed on the LCDpanel 21. The sample image to be overlapped with the enlarged part ofthe face is also enlarged and displayed. Tracing is performed by usingthe enlarged image so that the fine makeup may be easily performed.

[0033] The inner surface of the case body 11 is provided with acosmetic-material containing area 26, a brush containing area 27, andoperation buttons 28. The cosmetic-material containing area 26 containscosmetic materials 29, 30 and 31 used for writing the eyebrow. Thecosmetic materials 29, 30 and 31 have different colors of brown, darkbrown and gray, for instance.

[0034] The brush containing area 27 has an oblong concave shape andcontains an eyebrow brush 32, an eye pencil 33 and so force necessaryfor writing the eyebrow. The operation buttons 28 includes a modeswitching button and an adjustment button. The mode switching button isused for changing a normal mode and an enlargement mode utilizing thecamera portion 17. The adjustment button is used for selecting thesample image to be displayed on the LCD panel 21, and is also used foradjusting a display magnification of the sample image and amagnification of the image taken by the camera portion 17. All of thebuttons for executing various operations are arranged.

[0035]FIG. 3 schematically shows an electrical structure of the makeupmirror apparatus 10 of the present invention. The makeup mirrorapparatus 10 is roughly divided into two portions of an LCD displayportion 34 and the camera portion 17. These portions are controlled byan image-data processing circuit 35.

[0036] The image-data processing circuit 35 totally controls electricaloperations of the makeup mirror apparatus 10, for instance, the displayof the sample image read from the memory card 20, and the display of theuser's face taken by the camera portion 17. The image-data processingcircuit 35 monitors signals, which are inputted from the operationbuttons 28 via an I/O port 36, to perform signal processing inaccordance with the inputted signal. The memory card 20 is used for bothof writing and reading.

[0037] The camera portion 17 is mainly constituted of members necessaryfor imaging the user's face. The CCD image sensor 25 is disposed behindthe taking lens 23. By focusing the taking lens 23, a subject image isformed on a photoelectric surface of the CCD image sensor 25. A CCDdriver 37 drives the CCD image sensor 25 to convert the optical subjectimage into an electric image signal to be outputted. The outputted imagesignal is amplified by an amplifier 38 up to an appropriate level. Afterthat, the image signal is digitally converted by an A-D converter 39 andis inputted into the image-data processing circuit 35.

[0038] Under the normal mode, the image-data processing circuit 35outputs the data of the sample image, which is read from the memory card20, to an LCD driver 42 via a D-A converter 40 and an amplifier 41.Meanwhile, under the enlargement mode, the image-data processing circuit35 outputs the image data, in which the user's face taken by the cameraportion 17 is enlarged, to the LCD driver 42 in addition to the sampleimage. Owing to this, on the LCD panel 21 driven by the LCD driver 42,the sample image is displayed under the normal mode. In contrast, underthe enlargement mode, the composed image of the sample image and theenlarged image of the user's face is displayed on the LCD panel 21.

[0039] Next, an operation of the above structure is described below.When the makeup mirror apparatus 10 is used, the case lid 12 is openedfirst to set the usage state. Then, the operation button 28 is pressedto turn on the power supply. The normal mode is selected at the outset.Upon selecting the normal mode, shapes of eyebrows 43 of the sampleimage are displays on the LCD panel 21 such as shown in FIG. 4. The userchanges the sample image by using the operation button 28 until thesample image of a favorite shape is displayed. After determining thesample image, the makeup mirror apparatus 10 is held such as shown inFIG. 5. A position of the eyebrow 43 of the sample image displayed onthe LCD panel 21 is overlapped with a position of the user's eyebrowreflected in the half mirror 22. In this state, the makeup is performed.

[0040] When making up the eyebrow, one of the cosmetic materials 29 to31 is put on a tip 32 a of the eyebrow brush 32 to apply it to theuser's face. At this time, the cosmetic material is applied, tracing theoutline of the eyebrow 43 of the sample image so as not to straggletherefrom. By the way, in addition to the application of the cosmeticmaterial, the length of the user's eyebrow is sometimes adjusted withscissors and the user's eyebrow of superfluous portions are sometimespulled with tweezers. Also in these cases, the user's eyebrow may be cutand pulled relative to a portion located outside the eyebrow 43 of thesample image. Moreover, when the eyebrow is made up, the cosmeticmaterial is applied so as to change a kind of the color and a tonethereof in accordance with the respective portions of the eyebrow, forexample, in accordance with a leading portion 43 a, a middle portion 43b, and a trailing portion 43 c. As to the eyebrow 43 of the sampleimage, the kind of the color and the tone thereof are shown by a colorimage. Thus, the user applies the cosmetic material to the user'seyebrow with the eyebrow brush 32 and writes the user's eyebrow with theeye pencil 33 so as to correspond to the color of the eyebrow 43 of thesample image.

[0041] When finishing the outline in a more beautiful state andarranging edge shapes of the leading portion 43 a and the trailingportion 43 c, namely when performing the fine makeup, the enlargementmode is set with the mode switching button. Upon setting the enlargementmode, the camera portion 17 is turned on to image the user's face by theCCD image sensor 25. The image of the user's face taken by the CCD imagesensor 25 is enlarged and is displayed on the LCD panel 21. In thepresent embodiment, since the eyebrow is made up, a position of a hand44 holding the makeup mirror apparatus 10 is adjusted so as to image theuser's eyebrow with the camera portion 17. Upon this, an enlarged image45 of the user's eyebrow is displayed such as shown in FIG. 6A.Incidentally, this moment is just after switching the normal mode to theenlargement mode so that the eyebrows 43 of the sample image aredisplayed similarly to the normal mode.

[0042] Successively, the user manipulates the operation button 28 suchthat an amplification of the eyebrow 43 and a position thereof areadjusted so as to correspond to the enlarged image 45 of the user'seyebrow. Upon adjusting the sample image in this way, the enlarged image45 and the eyebrow 43 of the sample image are displayed in a overlappingstate (see FIG. 6B). After that, similarly to the makeup under thenormal mode, the eyebrow 43 of the sample image is traced, applying thecosmetic material to the user's eyebrow with the eyebrow brush 32 andwriting the user's eyebrow with the eye pencil 33. Incidentally, in FIG.6, only one eyebrow is displayed for the purpose of displaying theenlarged image as large as possible. However, this is not exclusive.Both eyebrows may be displayed in a state that the eyebrows are enlargedwithin an extent staying in the LCD panel 21.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the eyebrow is made up as an example.The present invention, however, is not exclusive to the eyebrow. Anotherportion of the face, for instance a lip, may be made up. Alternatively,instead of the partial makeup, the whole of the user's face may be madeup by displaying a sample image of the whole face.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the user's eyebrow is overlapped withthe sample image to trace it for making up. The present invention,however, is not exclusive. Such as shown in FIG. 7, the mirror unit 16may be divided into two areas of a left area 16 a and a right area 16 b.In this case, the eyebrow 43 of the sample image is displayed only onthe left area 16 a, and the user's face reflected in the right area 16 bis made up so as to become symmetry relative to the sample image.

[0045] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is describedbelow. In the above first embodiment, the makeup mirror apparatus hasthe exterior which is identical with a cosmetic compact case. Incontrast, the second embodiment relates to a makeup mirror apparatus ofa desktop style having a form of a cosmetic mirror mainly used in ahome. Incidentally, a member identical with that of the first embodimentis denoted by the same reference numeral and the description thereof isabbreviated.

[0046] A makeup mirror apparatus 50 according to this embodimentcomprises a mirror unit 51, a support 52 for supporting the mirror unit51, and a camera portion 53. The mirror unit 51 has a similar structurewith the mirror unit 16 of the first embodiment. The mirror unit 51 isconstituted of the LCD panel 21 and the half mirror 22 stacked thereon.An upper portion of the mirror unit 51 is formed with a concave 54 forattaching the camera portion 53. The camera portion 53 has a cylindricalexterior 55 in which the taking lens 23 and the CCD image sensor 25similar to the first embodiment are incorporated. The exterior 55 of thecamera portion 53 is formed so as to have a periphery corresponding tothe concave 54 of the mirror unit 51. The camera portion 53 is removablyattached to the mirror unit 51.

[0047] The support 52 is provided with the operation button 28 and apower cord 56. The support 52 rotatably supports the mirror unit 51 viaa rotary shaft 57. The camera portion 53 is connected to the support 52via a cord 58. The power cord 56 is connected to an outlet of a home tosupply a power to the makeup mirror apparatus 50.

[0048] An operation of the above-mentioned structure is described below.When the makeup mirror apparatus 50 is used, the power cord 56 isconnected to the outlet of the home to turn on the power supply. Then,the operation button 28 is handled to select a usage mode. At this time,the mirror unit 51 is rotated around the rotary shaft 57 for adjustingan angle thereof so as to reflect the user's face in a good state. Inthis embodiment, a close-up mode is provided besides the normal mode andthe enlargement mode, which are identical with the first embodiment.Under the close-up mode, the camera portion 53 is removed from themirror unit 51 and is used separately therefrom.

[0049] Under the normal mode and the enlargement mode, the sample imageis displayed on the LCD panel 21 in a similar way to the firstembodiment. The sample image is traced to perform the makeup. Afterperforming the makeup under the normal mode and the enlargement mode,the close-up mode is successively selected when it is desired to confirma finish of the makeup. Under the close-up mode, the camera portion 53is removed from the mirror unit 51 and is held by a user's hand 59 suchas sown in FIG. 9. The taking lens 23 of the camera portion 53 is laidto a user's face 60 to display an enlarged image of the face on the LCDpanel 21. By doing so, it is possible to confirm the finish of themakeup, for instance, a color and a shape of an eyebrow and a lip.

[0050] By the way, under the close-up mode in the second embodiment, themakeup mirror apparatus 50 is used only for the purpose of confirmingthe finish of the makeup. However, by slightly improving the cameraportion 53 such as shown in FIG. 10, the fine makeup may be easilyperformed so that it is possible to finish the makeup in a morebeautiful state. In this case, the exterior 55 of the camera portion 55is integrally formed with an attachment 61 for attaching a cosmetictool. The attachment 61 is provided with a fitting hole 62 formed on aparallel with the optical axis L of the taking lens 23. The cosmetictool of the eyebrow brush 32, the eye pencil 33, a lipstick and so forthis fitted into the fitting hole 62 so that the cosmetic tool isremovably attached thereto. Owing to this, in the state that the cameraportion 53 is laid to the user's face under the close-up mode, itbecomes possible to perform the makeup with the cosmetic tool fixed tothe attachment 61, displaying the enlarged image of the face on the LCDpanel 23. In this way, the fine makeup may be easily performed.

[0051] The first and second embodiments describe the makeup performedfor the lip, the eyebrow and so forth of the user's face. The presentinvention, however, is not exclusive to the face. The makeup may beperformed for any part of the user. For example, such as shown in FIGS.11 and 12, the present invention may be applicable to manicure of anail. Further, such as shown in FIG. 13, the present invention may beapplicable to hair styling. The following description relates to themanicure and the hair styling. A member identical with that of theforegoing embodiments is denoted by the same reference numeral and thedescription thereof is abbreviated.

[0052]FIG. 11 shows a state in that the manicure is performed for thenails under the normal mode. The LCD panel 21 of the mirror unit 51displays a sample image 65 used for the manicure. The user adjustspositions of nails 65 a through 65 e of the sample image 65 to positionsof user's nails reflected in the half mirror 22. And then, nail polishis applied so as to correspond to a color and a shape of the sampleimage. In this way, manicure is performed for the nail. The sample imageof the manicure may be a color pattern or the like indicating manycolors, instead of displaying the shape and the color of the nail.Alternatively, such as shown in FIG. 12, a sample image 66 forperforming the manicure (nail art), in which a painting is drawn on thenail, may be displayed. In this case, the user draws the painting on thenail so as to correspond to a picture 66 a of the sample image 66. Suchoperations may be performed by using the camera portion 53 under theenlargement mode and the close-up mode. Further, the nail polish may beapplied by attaching a manicure brush to the camera portion 53.

[0053] As to the hair styling, a sample image 67 of a hair style isdisplayed such as shown in FIG. 13. A position of user's hair 68 isadjusted to a position of the sample image 67. After that, are carriedout hair cutting, hair blowing, and coloring so as to correspond to ashape and a color of the sample image 67. In this way, hair styling isperformed.

[0054] Image data of the sample image used for the manicure and the hairstyling may be read from a storage medium of a memory card and so forth,in which various patterns of the sample images are stored, similarly tothe first and second embodiments. Alternatively, it is considered tophotograph the manicure and the hair styling finished by professionals(nail artist and hairdresser) at a nail salon and a hair salon. Theimage data obtained in this way may be used as the sample image.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments, the half mirror is disposedin front of the LCD panel to constitute the mirror unit. The presentinvention, however, is not exclusive to this. For example, as a mirrorfor reflecting the user's face, a total-reflection mirror identical witha normal cosmetic mirror may be used. In this case, a liquid-crystalpanel of a transmission type is disposed so as to cover the front of thetotal-reflection mirror. One's makeup may be performed such that theuser's face reflected in the total-reflection mirror is overlapped withthe sample image displayed on the liquid-crystal panel of thetransmission type. Meanwhile, the member for displaying the sample imageand the enlarged image is not exclusive to the liquid-crystal panel. Itis possible to use a thin electronic display unit to be stacked on amirror reflecting the user's face. As to this kind of the electronicdisplay unit, it is possible to use an electronic display unit ofwell-known DLP (digital micromirror device) system. It is also possibleto use an electronic display unit in which self-luminous-type ELelements respectively covered with plural kinds of color filters arearranged every pixel.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the mirror for reflecting the user isunified with the electronic display unit, which displays the sampleimage and so forth, to constitute the mirror unit. However, this is notexclusive. The electronic display unit and the camera portion may beseparated parts relative to the mirror so as to be removably attached toa compact case and a cosmetic stand, which are used as a normal cosmeticmirror. In this case, the electronic display unit and the camera portionmay be attached only when the user wants to use them.

[0057] In the first and second embodiments, the CCD image sensor is usedas an imaging device. The present invention, however, is not exclusiveto the CCD image sensor. Another imaging device, for instance, a CMOSimage sensor may be used. Further, with respect to the memory card forrecording the data of the sample image, the smart media (registeredtrademark) is not exclusive. It is possible to use another recordingmedium of memory stick (registered trademark), compact flash (registeredtrademark) and so forth.

[0058] Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofthe preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to thosehaving skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changesand modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, theyshould be construed as included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A makeup mirror apparatus used when a userperforms a makeup, comprising: a mirror for reflecting the user; and anelectronic display for displaying a sample image utilized as a referencewhen the user makes up.
 2. A makeup mirror apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a compact case having a case body and an upperlid, said case body containing a cosmetic tool and said upper lidinwardly containing said mirror and said electronic display.
 3. A makeupmirror apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a memory cardfor storing said sample image, said memory card being removably attachedto a slot formed in said upper lid.
 4. A makeup mirror apparatusaccording to claim 3, further comprising an operation button provided onsaid compact case, said operation button reading said sample image,which is stored in said memory card, from said memory card.
 5. A makeupmirror apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mirror is a halfmirror and is disposed in front of said electronic display.
 6. A makeupmirror apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electronic displayis a liquid-crystal panel of a transmission type and is disposed infront of said mirror.
 7. A makeup mirror apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a camera portion for imaging the user to display atleast a part of the user on said electronic display in an enlargementstate.
 8. A makeup mirror apparatus according to claim 7, wherein saidmirror and said electronic display are stacked to constitute a unifiedmirror unit.
 9. A makeup mirror apparatus according to claim 8, whereinsaid camera portion is fixed above the mirror unit.
 10. A makeup mirrorapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said camera portion is removablyattached to said mirror unit and is held by a user's hand to image adetail of a user's face.
 11. A makeup mirror apparatus according toclaim 10, further comprising: a support for rotatably supporting saidmirror unit, the user adjusting a rotational angle of said mirror unitwhen making up.
 12. A makeup mirror apparatus according to claim 11,further comprising an operation button of the support manipulated by theuser, said sample image being displayed on said electronic display bymanipulating said operation button.
 13. A makeup mirror apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said camera portion is provided with anattachment to which a cosmetic tool for making up the user is detachablyattached.
 14. A makeup mirror apparatus according to claim 13, whereinsaid cosmetic tool is one of an eyebrow brush, an eye pencil, and alipstick.
 15. A makeup method for performing a makeup by using a makeupmirror apparatus having an electronic display and a mirror stacked onsaid electronic display, said makeup method comprising the steps of:displaying a sample image on said electronic display, said sample imagebeing utilized as a reference when a user of said makeup mirrorapparatus makes up; overlapping the displayed sample image with at leasta part of the user corresponding to the sample image; and performing themakeup by tracing a shape of said sample image with a cosmetic tool. 16.A makeup method for performing a makeup by using a makeup mirrorapparatus having a camera portion and an electronic display fordisplaying an image taken by said camera portion, said makeup methodcomprising the steps of: imaging a user of said makeup mirror apparatuswith said camera portion; displaying at least a part of the imaged useron said electronic display, said part of the user being displayed in anenlargement state; displaying a sample image, which is utilized as areference for the makeup, on said electronic display so as to overlapwith the part of the user displayed in the enlargement state; andperforming the makeup by tracing a shape of said sample image with acosmetic tool.
 17. A makeup mirror apparatus according to any one ofclaims 1, 15 and 16, wherein the makeup is to apply a cosmetic materialto a user's face.
 18. A makeup mirror apparatus according to any one ofclaims 1, 15 and 16, wherein the makeup is to apply a nail polish to auser's nail.
 19. A makeup mirror apparatus according to any one ofclaims 1, 15 and 16, wherein the makeup is to set a user's hair style.